Did school cost money in the olden days?
I shall assume that your question relates to England. Before the Industrial Revolution, basic education was generally provided (for children) by well-meaning people, who felt that education should not be the preserve of the wealthy. Even for children of wealthy parents, education had to be paid for. These well-meaning people (often ladies) asked for payment for giving their time up. A child would be sent to school with a small amount of money for the teacher (who may or may not have had educational qualifications), and the amount often depended on what subjects the parents wished to be taught to their child. Such schools were known as “dame schools”. More subjects, more expense. It was not unknown for teachers to be barely literate themselves. In 1870 the Education Act introduced primary schools, which were paid for out of local rates (taxes on property). Thus, children had no more need to go to school with pennies for the teacher. The Education Act was proposed by W.E. Forster. By the
